The Joy of the American Road Trip

There's no time like the summer to go on the classic American road trip. The kids are out of school and most businesses slow down. It is a perfect time to take a vacation and see the sights as only experienced via the open road. Here are a few tips to make your next road trip one to remember.

Check Your Vehicle: Before hitting the road you'll definitely want to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape for the trip. If you expect to need an oil change mid-trip, get it done ahead of time. Check your tire pressure and wear along with all fluids. The last thing you want is to be stranded over 100 miles from the nearest service station.

Start with a Loose Plan: Expect your road trip to not go exactly as planned. While most of us have GPS these days, road hazards, construction, and accidents are bound to turn up and are often unavoidable. Still, have a basic idea of where you want to go and how you want to get there. If you're heading through the west, consider taking Route 66 instead of the Interstate; there's really nothing quite like it. However if you have a rigid plan in mind you'll most likely take the fun out of the experience and end up regretting it. Just go with the flow.

Be Clean When You Leave: A day or two before hitting the road, take the time to clean out your car. Old receipts, fast food wrappers, and coffee mugs may not seem like much but when you start spending 10+ hours a day in your vehicle they will quickly become a nuisance.

Remember the Electronics: While many newer vehicles have robust entertainment systems, these can sometimes be unreliable in remote areas. Plus there's no guarantee everyone in your car will want to watch the same movie every leg of the trip. Preload your devices with a mix of entertainment so you're sure everyone is having a good time. Bring backup charging cables for all of your electronics, and a few extra batteries if needed. This will keep you from having to decide between having enough power to start your car or enough to watch the latest blockbuster on your iPad.

Last, but not least, remember to have fun! Road trips are a great time to explore our country with family and friends. There are one-of-a-kind memory-making experience bound to lead to deeper bonds with those most important in your life.